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Last week’s General Hospital was a soap opera! Romance was in the air. The two stand out moments of the week were when one couple consummated their relationship and another couple got married. The kicker is that both these events took place because the couples were in love and these were moments of happiness. No drunken one night stands, no interruptions from undead spouses or Richard Simmons. As a fan, I felt very rewarded.
Over the fews years that I’ve been critiquing soaps, I’ve noticed that there seemed to be some fan objections when it came to sex on GH. Though as with everything soap fan related there are different views on the subject, it wasn’t uncommon for an online fan to complain that there were too many shirtless men and sex on their show. I confess that for the longest time this confused me. Isn’t that what we want on our soaps? The love scenes in the ’80s and ‘90s were much more risqué and back then men weren’t just shirtless, but it wasn’t uncommon to see them in speedos. (Editor note: I am in no way advocating that speedos make a comeback.) The problem wasn’t in the amount of skin shown though but the lack of emotion put into these scenes. Romance was dead. Moments that should have been milestones in a couple’s relationship, like making love for the first time or getting married, were plot points. It was easy to make excuses for why romance wasn’t being shown on soaps anymore. Prudish networks executives, censors and even the fans were among the most popular scapegoats. Rarely was the fault placed where it really belonged though – on the writing.
The changes to GH are still a work in progress but I’m loving all the love. Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman’s sweet spot appears to be giving fans tender, emotional moments and I’m looking forward to seeing more of that. A lot happened this week and I wasn’t able to write about it all. If you want my thoughts on anything I did or didn’t mention or want to share your thoughts on the show, leave a comment or tweet me and we’ll chat.
General Hospital Week In Review is for the episodes airing January 4th-8th.
Feel Like Makin’ Love
Nina and Franco finally got horizontal and it was everything that a soap love scene should be. Michelle Stafford and Roger Howarth are soap super stars for a reason. They played the longing and passion with nothing less than perfection. I really appreciated how well written the scenes were too. The dialog was spot on and the set up was very romantic.
Nina has been a little shy about taking the next step with Franco. She’s only had one other lover and he disrespected her by cheating on her, causing a lot insecurity for her when it comes to relationships. She’s a sexual person but fear of future disaster got the best of her. What if they have sex and he stops adoring her? Nina wasn’t the only hold up. Remember that time when Franco decided he needed to take a walk instead? Franco’s insecurities had less to do with sex and more to do with being worthy of love. Franco wanted to wait until he got his act together first. He has a job now that he’s doing well in and is starting to (sort of) make friends instead of enemies.
Nina and Franco were ready to take the next step until Kiki interrupted and killed the mood, giving Nina a chance to start overthinking and freak herself out a bit. After expressing her concerns and listing out all the reason why they shouldn’t sleep together, Nina told Franco “I’m overwhelmed. I don’t know what to do.” “There’s nothing to do. Do nothing. Just be in love. Just trust that your feelings are real.”
On Twitter, soap fan @thestormwithin said “Really impressed that the Nina & Franco scenes on Monday’s #GH had respect, passion, taste, and humor.” I can’t really say it any better than that.
No Scrubs
Fans said goodbye to another popular super couple when Patrick and Robin along with Emma headed to California. It was a good send off but also a bit bitter sweet. It would have been nice if things had been different and we didn’t have to lose this family. They were given a respectable ending to their story, one that showed appreciation towards their fanbase.
Before moving on to their new life together, Patrick and Robin said their “I do’s” in their home, amongst their friends and family. The dialog was wonderfully sentimental and there was a great use of vets at the wedding party. Mac, Felicia, Robert, Anna, Maxie and Liz were present. Patrick saying a loving goodbye to his friend Liz and Robin with her parents were certainly amongst the high points but the moment that really got to me was when Robin hugged Mac and said “I love you Uncle Mac.” That simple emotional beat was what started the waterworks for me. The very best part of it all though was the montage of Robin and Patrick’s greatest hits which gave fans one last walk down memory lane.
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